Training machine with flywheel

ABSTRACT

A flywheel is applied to a training machine including a wheel and a driving mechanism. The wheel is used for storing rotation energy while it is driven to rotate, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the wheel to rotate. The wheel has a hollowed space at least partially filled with a weighted material, at least one metal piece fixed at a periphery of the wheel, and a magnets arranged at the outside of the wheel. A damping of the wheel is changed by adjusting the distance between the metal piece and the plurality of magnets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to flywheels and training machines such as rowing simulation machines having flywheels.

2. Description of Related Art

Flywheels typically constitute rotating devices useful for storing rotational energy. A flywheel is a spinning wheel rotor with a fixed axis whereby energy is stored in the rotor as rotational energy. Flywheels have a moment of inertia and thus resist changes in rotational speed. The rotational energy is proportional to the square of its rotational speed. The rotational speed of flywheel can be increased by applying torque to it, and can be decreased by applying torque to increase mechanical load.

Taiwan Patent Application No. 100202361 discloses a magnetic control flywheel featuring a magnetic flywheel and an accommodating space arranged inside the flywheel. A metal ring is arranged at the wall of the accommodating space, and a magnetic control set comprising magnetic blocks and control components is arranged at the accommodating space.

The prior design has disadvantages of the cost being a bit much and the mechanism being unnecessarily complex. A need has therefore arisen to improve them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one general aspect, the present invention introduces improved flywheels and training machines such as rowing simulation machines having the flywheels.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a flywheel is applied to a training machine and comprises a wheel and a driving mechanism. The wheel is used for storing rotation energy while it is driven to rotate, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the wheel to rotate. The wheel comprises a hollowed space at least partially filled with a weighted material, at least one metal piece fixed at a periphery of the wheel, and a plurality of magnets arranged at the outside of the wheel, wherein a damping of the wheel is changed by adjusting the distance between the metal piece and the plurality of magnets.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a rowing simulation machine is disclosed and comprises a flywheel including a wheel and a driving mechanism, a base mechanism, and a handle. The wheel is used for storing rotation energy while it is driven to rotate, the driving mechanism is used for driving the wheel to rotate, the base mechanism provides support for the flywheel, and the handle is connected to the driving mechanism. The wheel comprises a hollowed space at least partially filled with a weighted material, at least one metal piece fixed at a periphery of the wheel, and a plurality of magnets arranged at the outside of the wheel, wherein a damping of the wheel is changed by adjusting the distance between the metal piece and the plurality of magnets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a flywheel of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2B are side views showing a flywheel of an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 2A shows that the magnets 206 are controlled to approach the metal ring 204, and FIG. 2B shows that the magnets 206 are controlled to be distant from the metal ring 204.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view showing a flywheel of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4B are perspective views showing a flywheel of an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A shows the magnets 206 controlled to approach the metal ring 204, and FIG. 4B shows the magnets 206 controlled to be distant from the metal ring 204.

FIGS. 5A-5B are perspective views showing a training machine having the flywheel, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a rowing simulation machine according to an embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to those specific embodiments of the invention. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process operations and components are not described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. While drawings are illustrated in detail, it is appreciated that the quantity of the disclosed components may be greater or less than that disclosed, except where expressly restricting the amount of the components. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used in drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a flywheel is disclosed according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, in which FIG. 1 is an exploded view, FIGS. 2A-2B are side views, and FIG. 3 is a cutaway view.

The flywheel mainly includes a wheel 20 and a driving mechanism. The wheel 20 is used for storing rotation energy while it is driven to rotate, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the wheel 20 to rotate. Preferably, the driving mechanism may comprise, but is not limited to: a bearing assembly 22 comprising a one-way bearing 222 to limit the rotating direction of the wheel 20; a belt 24 wound on the bearing assembly 22 can be pulled to drive the wheel 20 to rotate; and a returning mechanism 26 can be used for drawing back the belt 24 to its original position when the force for pulling the belt 24 out is cancelled or released.

In particular, the returning mechanism 26 may comprise, but is not limited to, a belt disc 262 with a reposition spring 264 inside the belt disc 262 for drawing back the belt 24 to its original position when the force for pulling the belt 24 out is cancelled or released.

Preferably, the belt disc 264 is placed at a side of the wheel 20. The bearing assembly 22 is arranged between the belt disc 262 and the wheel 20, and comprises a one-way bearing 222, which is designed to transmit torque in one direction and allow free motion in the opposite direction, so as to prevent the wheel 20 from being unintentionally rotated reversibly. The belt 24 can be pulled to result in rotation of the wheel 20 and the belt disc 262. The rotating velocity (e.g., angular velocity) and direction of the wheel 20 may differ from that of the belt disc 262.

The storing energy of the wheel 20 is proportional to the moment of inertia of the mass about the center of rotation, i.e., the center of the wheel 20. The amount of energy that can safely be stored in the wheel 20 depends on the point at which the wheel 20 will warp or shatter. To create a damping effect providing a resistance related to the rotational speed, the wheel 20 preferably has a hollow space 202 (as shown in FIG. 3) filled with a weighted material (not shown). Preferably, the weighted material is a non-metal material, such as cement or concrete. The weighted material could be any other inexpensive non-metal heavy materials in other embodiments of this invention. The weighted or non-metal weighted material is filled to an extent that the energy can safely be stored in the wheel 20. In some embodiment of this invention, the hollow space 202 is partially filled with the weighted or non-metal weighted material. In another embodiment of this invention, the wheel 20 does not include a hollow space 202 and the whole of which is made of the weighted material.

In addition, the wheel 20 may further comprise at least one metal piece 204, a plurality of magnets 206, and a plurality of vanes 208. The plurality of vanes 208 are arranged at the periphery of the wheel. For example, the plurality of vanes 208 may space apart on the periphery of the wheel 20 and may be integrally formed with the wheel 20. When the wheel 20 rotates, the vanes 208 are rotated as well and thus generate air turbulence. The user will feel a coolness due to the air turbulence.

Preferably, the at least one metal piece 204 may be a metal ring 204. The metal ring 204 is fixed at the periphery of the vanes 208. Notice that in another embodiment the vanes 208 are omitted, and the metal ring 204 is fixed at the periphery of the wheel 20. When the wheel 20 rotates, the metal ring 204 rotates as well. Preferably, the metal ring 204 may be made of aluminum, but it could comprise other conductive metals in other embodiments of this invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the magnets 206 are arranged at the outside of wheel 20 and the metal ring 204, and a space is present between the metal ring 204 and the magnets 206. The control device 28 is used to control the distance between the metal ring 204 and the magnets 206. The control device 28 may comprise, but is not limited to, a fixed base 280, a movable base 281, a spring 282, a bolt 283, and a nut 284. The magnets 206 are arranged on the movable base 281. The spring 282 is placed between the fixed base 280 and the movable base 281. The bolt 283 passes through a hole of the movable base 281 with the nut 284 mounted on the passed bolt 283, and a driving apparatus (not shown) connected to the bolt 283 so as to drive to bolt 280 to rotate, thereby moving the movable base 281 along the bolt 283.

FIG. 2A shows that the magnets 206 are controlled to approach the metal ring 204, and FIG. 2B shows that the magnets 206 are controlled to be distant from the metal ring 204. When the magnets 206 approach the metal ring 204, the damping of the wheel 20 is increased; when the magnets 206 are distant from the metal ring 204, the damping of the wheel 20 is decreased.

In addition, the reposition spring 264 may be arranged inside the belt disc 262 with one end connected to the belt disc 262 and the other end connected to the bearing assembly 22. In the preferred embodiment, the reposition spring 264 is a vortex spring, but it may be other spring member in other embodiments of this invention. When the pulling force exerted to the belt 24 is cancelled or released, the reposition spring 264 exerts a force to draw back the belt 24 to its original position. The belt 24 may be pulled out again to keep the wheel 20 continually rotating.

Accordingly, when the wheel 20 rotates, the metal ring 204 rotates as well, so as to introduce magnetic induction. Hence, the damping of the wheel 20 can be changed by adjusting the distance between the metal ring 204 and the magnets 206 via the control device 28.

FIGS. 4A-4B are perspective views showing a flywheel of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the control device 28 may comprise, but is not limited to, a fixed base 280, a movable base 281, a spring 282, a bolt 283, a nut 284, and a cable 285. The magnets 206 are arranged on the movable base 281. The spring 282 is placed between the fixed base 280 and the movable base 281. The bolt 283 passes through a hole of the movable base 281 with the nut 284 mounted on the passed bolt 283. The cable 285 has a portion arranged inside the spring 282 and an end 285 a riveted with the movable base 281. Another driving apparatus (not shown) connects with the cable 285 and is capable of pulling and releasing the cable 285, thereby moving the movable base 281 along the cable 285. Notice that the bolt 283 and nut 284 are used to limit the position of the movable base 281, such that the magnets 208 will not contact the metal ring 204. In another embodiment of this invention, the bolt 283 and nut 284 are omitted. FIG. 4A shows that the magnets 206 are controllable to approach the metal ring 204, and FIG. 4B shows the magnets 206 controlled to be distant from the metal ring 204.

FIGS. 5A-5B are perspective views showing a training machine having the flywheel, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned flywheel is applied to a training machine, such as a rowing simulation machine. A handle 3 may be connected to the belt 24 for pulling the belt 24 via the handle 10. FIG. 5B shows the belt 24 being pulled out, and FIG. 5A shows the belt 24 being pulled back.

Conventional flywheels are made of steel with complex mechanism design. By replacing steel with inexpensive cement or concrete, the cost can be reduced. By arranging the magnets outside the flywheel, the components of the flywheel can be decreased so as to simplify the mechanical design.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a rowing simulation machine according to an embodiment of this invention. The rowing simulation machine preferably comprises the flywheel 2 having a wheel and a driving mechanism as discussed in FIGS. 1-5, and further comprises a base mechanism 4 and a handle 3. The wheel is used for storing rotation energy while it is driven to rotate, the driving mechanism is used for driving the wheel to rotate, the base mechanism 4 provides support for the flywheel 2, and the handle 3 is connected to the driving mechanism, e.g., connected to the belt 24 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In addition, the wheel may comprise a hollowed space filled with, or partially filled with, a weighted material, at least one metal piece fixed at a periphery of the wheel, and a plurality of magnets arranged at the outside of the wheel, wherein a damping of the wheel is changed by adjusting the distance between the metal piece and the plurality of magnets.

The intent accompanying this disclosure is to have each/all embodiments construed in conjunction with the knowledge of one skilled in the art to cover all modifications, variations, combinations, permutations, omissions, substitutions, alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments, to the extent not mutually exclusive, as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Corresponding or related structure and methods disclosed or referenced herein, and/or in any and all co-pending, abandoned or patented application(s) by any of the named inventor(s) or assignee(s) of this application and invention, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, wherein such incorporation includes corresponding or related structure (and modifications thereof) which may be, in whole or in part, (i) operable and/or constructed with, (ii) modified by one skilled in the art to be operable and/or constructed with, and/or (iii) implemented/made/used with or in combination with, any part(s) of the present invention according to this disclosure, that of the application and references cited therein, and the knowledge and judgment of one skilled in the art.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that embodiments include, and in other interpretations do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments, or interpretations thereof, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

All of the contents of the preceding documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Although the disclosure herein refers to certain illustrated embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments have been presented by way of example rather than limitation. For example, any of the particulars or features set out or referenced herein, or other features, including method steps and techniques, may be used with any other structure(s) and process described or referenced herein, in whole or in part, in any combination or permutation as a non-equivalent, separate, non-interchangeable aspect of this invention. Corresponding or related structure and methods specifically contemplated and disclosed herein as part of this invention, to the extent not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one skilled in the art, including, modifications thereto, which may be, in whole or in part, (i) operable and/or constructed with, (ii) modified by one skilled in the art to be operable and/or constructed with, and/or (iii) implemented/made/used with or in combination with, any parts of the present invention according to this disclosure, include: (I) any one or more parts of the above disclosed or referenced structure and methods and/or (II) subject matter of any one or more of the inventive concepts set forth herein and parts thereof, in any permutation and/or combination, include the subject matter of any one or more of the mentioned features and aspects, in any permutation and/or combination.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A flywheel applied to a training machine, including: a wheel, for storing rotation energy while it is driven to rotate; and a driving mechanism, for driving the wheel to rotate; wherein the wheel comprises: a hollowed space at least partially filled with a weighted material; at least one metal piece fixed at a periphery of the wheel; and a plurality of magnets arranged at the outside of the wheel; wherein a damping of the wheel is changed by adjusting a distance between the metal piece and the plurality of magnets.
 2. The flywheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the weighted material is a non-metal material.
 3. The flywheel as set forth in claim 2, wherein the non-metal material comprises cement or concrete.
 4. The flywheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the metal piece is made of aluminum.
 5. The flywheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the metal piece is ring-shaped.
 6. The flywheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flywheel further comprises a plurality of vanes spaced apart between the metal piece and the wheel, and when the wheel is driven to rotate the vanes rotate as well so as to generate an air turbulence.
 7. The flywheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism comprises: a bearing assembly comprising a one-way bearing to limit the rotating direction of the wheel; a belt wound on the bearing assembly and configured for being pulled to drive the wheel to rotate; and a returning mechanism for drawing back the belt to its original position when a force for pulling the belt out is cancelled or released.
 8. The flywheel as set forth in claim 7, wherein the returning mechanism comprises a reposition spring for drawing back the belt to its original position when the force for pulling the belt out is cancelled or released.
 9. The flywheel as set forth in claim 8, wherein the reposition spring is a vortex spring.
 10. A rowing simulation machine, comprising: a flywheel; a driving mechanism; a base mechanism, for providing support to the flywheel; a handle connected to the driving mechanism; a wheel for storing rotation energy when driven to rotate by the driving mechanism; a hollowed space in the wheel, the hollowed space being at least partially filled with a weighted material; at least one metal piece fixed at a periphery of the wheel; and a plurality of magnets arranged at the outside of the wheel; wherein a damping of the wheel is changed by adjusting the distance between the metal piece and the plurality of magnets.
 11. The rowing simulation machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the weighted material is a non-metal material.
 12. The rowing simulation machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein the non-metal material comprises cement or concrete.
 13. The rowing simulation machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the metal piece is made of aluminum.
 14. The rowing simulation machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the metal piece is ring-shaped.
 15. The rowing simulation machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wheel comprises a plurality of vanes spaced apart between the metal piece and the wheel, whereby when the wheel is driven to rotate the vanes rotate as well to generate an air turbulence.
 16. The rowing simulation machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the driving mechanism comprises: a bearing assembly comprising a one-way bearing to limit the rotating direction of the wheel; a belt being wound on the bearing assembly and being pulled to drive the wheel to rotate; and a returning mechanism for drawing back the belt to its original position when a force for pulling the belt out is cancelled or released.
 17. The rowing simulation machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein the returning mechanism comprises a reposition spring for drawing back the belt to its original position when the force for pulling the belt out is cancelled or released.
 18. The rowing simulation machine as set forth in claim 17, wherein the reposition spring is a vortex spring.
 19. The rowing simulation machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein the flywheel comprises the wheel and the driving mechanism.
 20. The rowing simulation machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein the handle is connected to the belt. 